Electromagnetic wave applicator

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetic wave irradiation tool encompasses a narrow tube (endoscope probe) ( 7 ) defined by an outside diameter of 0.1 mm-20 mm, having an electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal ( 3 ) configured to irradiate an electromagnetic wave ( 2 ) having a frequency equal to a characteristic frequency of a microorganism ( 11 ) at the top of the narrow tube ( 7 ) and an electromagnetic wave generation unit ( 3 ) configured to generate the electromagnetic wave ( 2 ) and to supply the electromagnetic wave ( 2 ) to the electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal ( 3 ). The electromagnetic wave irradiation tool drives the microorganism ( 11 ) into a resonant vibration state selectively so that the microorganism ( 11 ) can be destroyed, without giving damages to biological body ( 1 ) for medically treating the disease induced by the microorganism ( 11 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic wave irradiationtool configured to irradiate an electromagnetic wave to a microorganism.

2. Description of the Related Art

Diseases, in which microorganisms such as bacteria or virus invades thehuman body from skin, mucous membrane, or body fluid of the human bodyso as to bring symptoms such as pyrexia, vomiting, and multiple organfailure in the human body, are known. Generally, these diseases arereferred as “infectious diseases”. As the microorganisms (causativeagents) causing the infectious diseases, genus staphylococcus, genusstreptococcus, family neisseria, genus pseudomonas, genus legionella,genus brucella, genus bordetella, genus haemophilus, genuscampylobacter, genus spirillum, family intestinal bacteria, vibrio,genus bacillus, lactobacillus, listeria and E. rhusiopathiae, obligateanaerobe, genus corynebacterium, acid-fast bacterium, genusmycobacterium, genus actinomyces and nocardia, spirochaeta, rickettsia,chlamydia, etc. are known. These microorganisms break physical barrierlying in skin, mucous membrane, or body fluid, and invade in abiological host, and parasite to a tissue of the host. Because themicroorganisms, being parasitic on the host, actively repeatmultiplications, while producing toxins, an attack of toxin-inducedinflammatory disease, which is developed by toxins produced in theliving body, an attack of exudative inflammatory disease, which isdeveloped by a rapid multiplication of the microorganisms in theinfected site, and an attack of productive inflammatory disease, whichis developed by sequential multiplications of the microorganisms at thetarget organ having an affinity with the microorganisms, etc. are foundin the host.

For example, “helicobacter pylori” as shown in FIG. 14 is bacteria(causative agent) always existing on a mucous membrane of stomach of ananimal. The “helicobacter pylori” is generally called as pyloribacteria, and the pylori bacteria produces an enzyme called urease instomach so as to decompose urea into ammonia. When the generated ammoniais neutralized with a mucous membrane of stomach, the pylori bacterialives stationary in stomach so as to establish a parasite state. Aspylori bacteria continue multiplications in stomach, ammonia is producedexcessively so as to cause damage of mucous membrane of stomach andexcessive secretion of gastric acid, or alternatively to produce originsof gastric ulcer and gastric cancer, etc. It is said that malignantlymphoma growing in stomach is associated with bacteria such as pyloribacteria, in addition to Epstein-Barr (EB) viruses.

As counter-measures to medical treatment of the infectious disease, amethodology configured to prevent cell division of microorganisms byadministering drugs to biological body so as to sterilize themicroorganisms, which are parasitic on the biological body. For example,a chemotherapy configured to administer chemotherapy agent into livingbody, a serum therapy configured to inject immune serum into livingbody, and a vaccine therapy configured to inject vaccine such asantibiotics into living body, etc. are known.

There are microorganisms, to which effective treatment methods of theinfectious disease due to the microorganisms are not found. For example,in July, 2002, a man of 69 years old has pricked his hand with a hook inthe middle of fishing by mistake in Massachusetts, U.S.A., and bacteriacalled as “flesh-eating bacteria” were invaded to his body from a wound.Later, according to the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper of Aug. 10, 2002,this man noticed swelling of a finger at site where pricked with thehook two weeks after he had pricked his hand with the hook, the swellingof the finger has stretched over the whole arm in several hours, and isdiagnosed as “necrotizing fasciitis” at a hospital. The doctor cut thefinger, the hand, and the arm of the man in sequence in order to blockthe progress of a symptom, but the man has died by the infection onemonth later. In particular, the microorganism with which the man hasbeen infected is a bacteria referred as “photobacterium damsela”, withwhich the progress of the disease is extremely rapid among bacteriareferred as “flesh-eating bacteria”.

However, there is a problem in that a normal tissue of the host isdamaged by drugs, which are administered so as to block themultiplication of the microorganisms for the counter-measure of themedical treatment of the infectious disease such as chemotherapy, serumtherapy, or vaccine therapy, which are already discussed above. Forexample, in the case of above mentioned pylori bacteria, thesanitization in stomach is conducted by administering antimicrobialagent, which is mainly implemented by antibiotics. There is a problem ofside effects such as diarrhea, hepatopathy, a renal insufficiency,because the antimicrobial agent acts on the normal tissue of the humanbody to which the antimicrobial agent is administered. There is anotherproblem in which a new antimicrobial resistance appears against theantimicrobial agent.

Because the multiplication rate of microorganisms is extremely high,there is a case in which an appropriate medical treatment cannotsuppress the multiplication rate for the infectious disease, which isinduced by the microorganism and to which an effective medical treatmentmethod is not established. Therefore, there are many cases that it istoo late when an infectee noticed the symptom. For example, as for theinfectious disease by “photobacterium damsela”, when an infectee noticedthe symptom such as swelling or pyrexia, the counter-measure ofchemotherapy administering drugs were hardly effective, and there was nomeans to prevent effectively the multiplication of the microorganisms,which induce the symptom.

In view of these situations, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an electromagnetic wave irradiation tool configured to destroymicroorganisms such as bacteria or virus, by selectively exciting themicroorganisms, without giving an effect to biological body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the object, a first aspect of the present inventioninheres in an electromagnetic wave irradiation tool encompassing anarrow tube defined by an outside diameter of 0.1 mm-20 mm, having anelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal configured to irradiate anelectromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to the characteristicfrequency of a microorganism at the top of the narrow tube, and anelectromagnetic wave generation unit configured to generate theelectromagnetic wave and to supply the electromagnetic wave to theelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal.

Although there are many kinds of microorganisms, the present inventionmainly pertains to “causative agents (pathogenic microbes)”. The“causative agents” are defined to be microorganisms harming a humanbeing by invading into and multiplying in the human body, and includesbacteria, Eumycetes (molds), virus, protozoan. As is generally known,bacteria are classified into coccus (spherical-shaped bacteria),bacillus (cylindrical-rod-shaped bacteria), and spiral (helical-shapedbacteria) such as Leptospira. In the natural world, there are smallermicroorganisms than bacteria. The microorganism having a size of 0.3micrometer ordr is called as “rickettsia”, less than or equal to 0.2micrometer is called as “virus”. In addition, the microorganism havingan intermediate character between rickettsia and virus is called as“chlamydia”.

Generally there are a plurality of characteristic frequencies for eachof single microorganism. For example, in a lower frequency, thecharacteristic frequency of condensation chromosome in a cell is givenby:Fα=[k/(M/N)]^(1/2)/2π   (1)Here, Fα is the characteristic frequency of a condensation chromatid, kis a spring constant of the kinetochore-microtubule, M is molecularweight of the condensation chromatid, N is Avogadro's number (=6×10²³).Because the molecular weight M of the condensation chromatid is about 60billion grams/mole, and the spring constant k is 10⁻⁵, by substitutingthe values of M and k into Eq. (1), a value of Fα=51.3 kHz is obtained.In addition, a characteristic frequency around several MHz to aroundseveral hundreds MHz is obtained, with a diameter of the microorganism,a length of the microorganism, and a speed of sound in themicroorganism, when the whole of the microorganism can be regarded as asystem of a flexural vibration in a cantilever structure, as for thecase of helicobacter pylori. Furthermore, many of the characteristicfrequencies of molecule vibration by molecules composing a cell of amicroorganism lie in a terahertz band. To be concrete, in bacteria ofwild species, both in the shorter wavelength side and in the longerwavelength side of a spectrum, a rapid decay of 100 fs to 1 ps isobserved in time domain, which correspond to the characteristicfrequency of each terahertz band, respectively.

Generally, a microorganism (bacteria) has a cell membrane (cytoplasmicmembrane) surrounding a cytoplasm, and there is a cell wall in theoutside of the cell membrane. Here, let's focus on peptidoglycancomposing the cell wall. As for this peptidoglycan, N-acetyleglucosamine(GlcNAC) and N-acetylmuramic acid (MurAC) couples alternately so as toimplement β-1, 4 bond, forming a long glycan chain. An amino acidcouples with a lactic acid residue of N-acetylemuramic acid so as toimplement amide bond, forming peptide including four amino acids[L-Ala-D-Glu-DAP(Lys)-D-Ala]. Thus formed peptide implements a basicunit. Connecting several to dozens of the basic units, a longchain-shaped structure is establshed. In a cell wall, a plurality ofglycan chains are running in parallel, bridging mutually between peptidechains so as to form a macromolecule. By species of bacteria (such asstaphylococcus), a teichoic acid polymer is connected in the bridgingstructure of peptideoglycan. Because of this complex structure, thereare various vibration modes in the macromolecule. Namely, depending onthe structures of the molecule chain implementing the cell and the cellwall of a microorganism, there are a plurality of differentcharacteristic frequencies. For example, the characteristic frequency ofa bending vibration with three molecules is different from thecharacteristic frequency of a stretching vibration of five molecules. Inthis way, depending on modes of molecule vibrations by the moleculesimplementing the cell and the cell wall of a microorganism, there arevarious characteristic frequencies in terahertz band. Because thecharacteristic frequency of the macromolecule depends whether thevibration is a longitudinal mode or a transverse mode, or alternativelywhether the vibration is the fundamental vibration or harmonics, thereare many characteristic frequencies in a higher frequency region nearterahertz band and in terahertz band.

In this way, according to the electromagnetic wave irradiation toolrelated to the first aspect of the present invention, electromagneticwaves from lower frequency region around dozens of kHz to higherfrequency region around terahertz band can be employed. However,adjustment of frequency becomes complicated in the characteristicfrequencies of the condensation chromatid and the flexural vibration,because these characteristic frequencies depend upon the actual sizes ofmicroorganisms. On the other hand, because the characteristicfrequencies of the molecule vibrations by the molecules composing cellsof microorganism are the same for a specified kind of microorganismunder the same boundary condition, the adjustment of frequency is easy.Therefore, in practical use, it is preferable to use electromagneticwaves having higher frequencies in terahertz band or near terahertzband.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, anelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal provided at the tip of thenarrow tube emits an electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal tothe characteristic frequency of a microorganism. Because the subjectmicroorganism is excited selectively by the electromagnetic wave havinga frequency equal to the characteristic frequency of the subjectmicroorganism so as to establish a resonant vibration, only the subjectmicroorganism becomes extinct, without giving damages to the cellsaround the subject microorganism. Therefore, infectious diseasesascribable to microorganisms can be treated effectively. A plurality ofelectromagnetic waves having different frequencies can be emittedsimultaneously from the electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal, eachof the different frequencies is same as each of the characteristicfrequencies of the subject microorganism, so that the resonant vibrationof the subject microorganism can be established, because the subjectmicroorganism has a plurality of different characteristic frequencies.When the characteristic frequency of the microorganism varies due to theincrease of temperature of the microorganism, because the energy of theelectromagnetic wave is applied to the microorganism, the frequency ofthe electromagnetic wave may be controlled so as to follow the change ofthe characteristic frequency so that the resonant vibration state can bekept.

A second aspect of the present invention inhere in an electromagneticwave irradiation tool encompassing an antenna-supporting member, anantenna provided on the antenna-supporting member, and anelectromagnetic wave generation unit configured to supply anelectromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to a characteristicfrequency of a microorganism. The antenna may be implemented by a singleantenna having a structure configured to employ an inner wall of theopen-bell-shaped configuration such as a chest piece of a stethoscope,or alternatively by a combination of a plurality of antennas. Theantenna-supporting member may be formed into a cylindrical geometry(cylinder) so that a body-to-be-irradiated can be inserted in the insideof the cylinder, and a plurality of patch antennas may be arranged to aninner wall of the cylinder so as to implement an antenna array. In thiscase, an electromagnetic wave, having a frequency equal to thecharacteristic frequency of a microorganism, is irradiated against thebody-to-be-irradiated lying in the inside of the cylinder from the patchantennas provided on a wall surface of the antenna-supporting member.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, because onlythe subject microorganism is excited selectively by an electromagneticwave having a frequency equal to the characteristic frequency of thesubject microorganism (causative agent) so as to establish the resonantvibration, only the subject microorganism becomes extinct, withoutgiving damages to the cells around the subject microorganism. Therefore,the microorganism, which has invaded in the surface ofbody-to-be-irradiated, is excited selectively so as to be killed. Asalready mentioned above, because there are a plurality of characteristicfrequencies for a specified microorganism, it is preferable to useelectromagnetic waves of terahertz band, especially to irradiate aplurality of electromagnetic waves having different frequencies, whichare respectively equal to each of the characteristic frequencies, may beemitted from the antenna. Furthermore, as energy of the electromagneticwave is absorbed so as to increase temperature of a microorganism,because the characteristic frequency of the microorganism varies due tothe increase of the temperature, it is preferable to control thefrequency of the electromagnetic wave so that the frequency of theelectromagnetic wave can follow the variation of the characteristicfrequency so as to keep the state of resonant vibration.

A third aspect of the present invention inheres in an electromagneticwave irradiation tool encompassing a blood irrigation system having ablood-draw line configured to draw blood from a biological body and ablood-return line configured to return the blood to the biological body,an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit configured to irradiate anelectromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to a characteristicfrequency of a microorganism existing in the blood in the blood-drawline, and an electromagnetic wave generation unit configured to supplythe electromagnetic wave to the electromagnetic wave irradiation unit.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, because theelectromagnetic wave having the frequency equal to the characteristicfrequency of the microorganism (causative agent) is irradiated to theblood, the microorganism produced in the blood is excited selectively soas to be driven into a resonant vibration state until the microorganismdie. Because there are a plurality of characteristic frequencies for aspecified microorganism, similar to the first and the second aspect, itis preferred to drive into the resonant vibration by an electromagneticwave of terahertz band. In addition, electromagnetic waves having pluralfrequencies may be irradiated to the blood simultaneously. Furthermore,as the energy of the electromagnetic wave is absorbed so as to increasethe temperature of the microorganism, because the characteristicfrequency of the microorganism varies depending on the temperature, thefrequency of the electromagnetic wave to be irradiated may be controlledso as to follow the change of the characteristic frequency so that theresonant vibration can be kept.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an electromagnetic waveirradiation tool related to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of an endoscope probe according tothe first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration showing a tip face of the endoscopeprobe according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of an electromagnetic wavegeneration device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration showing a medical treatment method,using an electromagnetic wave irradiation tool according to the firstembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of an electromagnetic waveirradiation tool according a the modification of the first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of an endoscope probe according tothe modification of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration showing a tip face of the endoscopeprobe according to the modification of the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration showing an electromagnetic waveirradiation tool according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the antenna array taken on planeA-A in FIG. 9, according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration showing an inner wall side ofantenna array according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration showing an electromagnetic waveirradiation tool according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 shows an enlarged view of the electromagnetic wave irradiationtool according to the third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 shows a schematic illustration of helicobacter pylori.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that the sameor similar reference numerals are applied to the same or similar partsand elements throughout the drawings. However the drawings arerepresented schematically, and it will be appreciated that therelationships between the layer thickness and the plane size, theproportions of thickness of each layer are different from the realconfiguration. In addition, the first to third embodiments representexamples of devices and methods to realize the technical idea of thepresent invention, and the technical idea of this invention is notlimited to the materials of the constituent components, the geometry,the structure, the arrangement disclosed in the following discussion.Therefore, the technical idea of the present invention can be givenvarious kinds of changes within the scope of claims.

First Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electromagnetic wave irradiation toolaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention is medicalequipment, encompassing an electromagnetic wave generation unit 3configured to generate an electromagnetic wave 2 having a frequencyequal to the characteristic frequency (or “natural frequency”) of amicroorganism (causative agent) 11, and a narrow tube (endoscope probe)7 having a 0.1 mm-20 mm outside diameter. The endoscope probe 7 has anelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74 configured to irradiate theelectromagnetic wave 2 at the tip of the narrow tube. The narrow tube 7further encompasses a light guide (optical waveguide) 72, configured totransmit light so that the light can irradiate the biological body, anda temperature detecting unit (a temperature-detecting terminal) 73configured to detect temperature of the microorganism 11, as shown inFIG. 2. Although in FIG. 1, the narrow tube 7 is so represented that thenarrow tube 7 can implement an endoscope probe 7, the narrow tube 7 canimplements various structures such as a laparoscope employed inoperations such as extirpation surgery of gallbladder (LAPAROSCOPICCHOLECYSTECTOMY), a needle-shaped appliance (needle) employed insurgical operations of prostatic cancer, or a catheter configured to beinserted into a blood vessel or a body cavity. In addition, the outerdiameter of the narrow tube 7 is so designed that a patient does notfeel unpleasant by the presence of foreign substance (foreign body), andthe outer diameter of the narrow tube 7 is preferable to be establishedaround 0.1 mm-20 mm according to a size of a subject portion (surgicalsite) to which the medical surgery is applied. For example, an outerdiameter of around 1 mm-10 mm is desirable for a surgery in which thenarrow tube 7 is inserted in the digestive organs such as the largeintestine or the small intestine, and when the narrow tube 7 is insertedfrom mouth, an outer diameter of around 10 mm-20 mm is preferable.Furthermore, for the laparoscope, an outer diameter of around 0.1 mm-15mm is preferable.

As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope probe 7 has a CCD camera 71 configuredto acquire internal picture information of the biological body, the CCDcamera 71 is provided in a tubular shaft 77 to be inserted in the insideof biological body. The CCD camera 71, the light guide 72, thetemperature-detecting terminal 73 and the electromagnetic waveirradiation terminal 74 are arranged in the tubular shaft 77 along alongitudinal direction. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each end face of theCCD camera 71, the light guide 72, the temperature-detecting terminal 73and the electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74 comes into view atthe tip face of the endoscope probe 7. Another end of the CCD camera 71,the light guide 72, the temperature-detecting terminal 73 and theelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74 are connected to anendoscope control unit 8 shown in FIG. 1. It is preferable that a CCDcamera 71 has an object lens at one end face of the endoscope probe 7,the end face corresponds to the side to be inserted in the biologicalbody. As for the light guide 72, an optical fiber of visible light canbe used. The light guide 72 may transmit a picture image in addition topassing illumination light. That is to say, a beam splitter can separatea picture image transmitted through the light guide 72, and if a CCDcamera acquires the picture information after the beam splitter hasseparated the picture image from the illumination light, the CCD camera71 shown in FIG. 2 is unnecessary. In order to use the light guide 72 asa transmission line of picture information, the light guide 72 should beimplemented by a so-called “self-focusing optical transmission line(graded index fiber)”, in which axial distribution of refractive indexestablishes an paraboloidal-shaped distribution such that the refractiveindex is high at a central axis of the fiber and is low along thecircumference region of the fiber. The temperature-detecting terminal 73may be implemented by T type (Cu—Co) thermocouples, or alternatively,the temperature can be measured optically. When the temperature ismeasured optically, if material of the light guide 72 is chosen to be alight transmitting material of visible light and infrared light, thelight guide 72 can serve as the temperature-detecting terminal 73. Anantenna having a paraboloidal geometry or a horn geometry is preferredfor the electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74. Furthermore, asthe electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74, the tip of highfrequency transmission line 70, which can transmit electromagnetic waveof terahertz band, such as a flexible hollow-tube light guide (lightpipe) of a waveguide type, a coaxial cable, a microstrip line, acoplanar waveguide, can be employed.

In FIG. 3, although the CCD camera 71, the light guide 72, thetemperature-detecting terminal 73 and the electromagnetic waveirradiation terminal 74 are aligned on a line, but it is not necessaryto form the line topology, and any other arrangements can be adopted, ofcourse. For example, if a coaxial cable is employed as the highfrequency transmission line, a configuration such that the CCD camera71, the light guide 72, the temperature-detecting terminal 73 arearranged in the inside of an insulation layer of the coaxial cable tosurround a signal line of the coaxial cable, and the ground wiring isestablished at most outward side of the coaxial cable, can be adopted.

If frequency of the electromagnetic wave is higher than submillimeterband, a diameter of a flexible waveguide (hollow-tube light guide),serving as the high frequency transmission line 70, can be formed intoequal to or smaller than 1 mm. The frequency of three THz corresponds toa wavelength of 0.1 mm in free air space. The electromagnetic waveirradiation terminal 74 may be a far infrared lens established at a tipof far infrared optical fiber as the high frequency transmission line70. For the far infrared optical fiber, materials such as KRS-5 (TlBrI),TlBr, AgCl, AgBr, germanium oxide glass, fluorine glass can be employed.If the light guide 72 is formed of transparent materials transmittingfrom visible light to far infrared light such as diamond, oralternatively, is formed of a hollow-tube light guide (waveguide), thelight guide 72 can serve simultaneously as the high frequencytransmission line 70. Because a wavelength of high frequencyelectromagnetic wave in a medium is determined by a refractive index ofmaterials implementing the far infrared optical fiber, a diameter of thefar infrared optical fiber can be determined by the refractive index ofmaterial at the subject frequency.

When far infrared optical fiber is used, the light guide 72 can serve asthe high frequency transmission line 70 and the temperature-detectingterminal 73, because the temperature can be measured optically throughthe light guide 72. In a neighborhood of the electromagnetic waveirradiation terminal 74, a variable stub 87 connected to the highfrequency transmission line 70 is provided for impedance adjustment. Thevariable stub 87 is connected to the high frequency transmission line 70through a micro actuator 88, and the micro actuator 88 drives thevariable stub 87. Although detailed structure is not shown, thestructure of the variable stub 87 may be determined by the structure ofhigh frequency transmission line 70 such as a waveguide, a coaxialcable, a microstrip line, or a coplanar waveguide. If the light guide 72is also used as a transmission line configured to transmit pictureinformation, rather than using only the light guide 72 as a means fortransmitting light for illumination light, as already mentioned above,the CCD camera 71 is unnecessary. Therefore, if the light guide 72 isformed of a wideband material through which spectrum from visible lightto far infrared light can transmit entirely, the CCD camera 71, the highfrequency transmission line 70, the temperature-detecting terminal 73can be omitted in the configuration shown in FIG. 2. In particular, insuch a simplified structure, outer diameter of the endoscope probe 7 canrealize a value of less than or equal to 0.1 mm, when high frequencyelectromagnetic wave higher than three THz is used. Of course, even theendoscope probe having an outer diameter more than 0.1 mm can beemployed. Because, at present, the outer diameter of the clad layer ofmarketed optical fiber is 0.125 mm (a diameter of core is 50 micrometersfor a multi-mode, and ten micrometers for a single mode), an endoscopeprobe 7 having an outer diameter approximately same as the outerdiameter of the clad layer may be fabricated theoretically, but if thestructure shown in FIG. 2 is considered, equal to or larger than 0.2 mmis desirable for the outer diameter of the endoscope probe 7. In view ofthe easiness of manufacturing, equal to or larger than 0.5 mm isdesirable for the outer diameter of the endoscope probe 7, but the upperlimit of outer diameter is determined by requirement from medical caretechnology.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope control unit 8 embraces a signalprocessing unit 80 connected to the CCD camera 71 and thetemperature-detecting terminal 73, which are provided in the inside ofthe endoscope probe 7, a monitor 86 connected to the output side ofsignal processing unit 80, and a light source 82 connected to the lightguide 72 provided in the inside of the endoscope probe 7. The signalprocessing unit 80 embraces a video signal processor 81 and atemperature signal processor 83. The video signal processor 81 and thetemperature signal processor 83 can use a picture image analyzer and atemperature measuring apparatus, respectively. As for the light source82, a visible semiconductor laser, a visible light emitting diode (LED),a discharge tube, a fluorescence lamp can be used. The visiblesemiconductor laser and the visible LED may be provided at the tip ofthe endoscope probe 7. As to the visible semiconductor laser and thevisible LED, three colors of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) are mixedto emit a white light, or the wavelength of the light emitted from thevisible semiconductor laser or the visible LED my be adjusted to a valuewith which the microorganism 11 can be identified most efficiently.

The electromagnetic wave generation unit 3 is a means for generating aspecific electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to thecharacteristic frequency of a subject microorganism 11 so as to drivethe subject microorganism 11 into a resonant vibration state, byselecting the frequency equal to the characteristic frequency. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, the electromagnetic wave generation unit 3embraces a relatively wideband electromagnetic wave generation device 5configured to generate a electromagnetic wave 2 having a frequency equalto the characteristic frequency of a subject microorganism 11, and afrequency adjustment unit (frequency adjustment device) 4 configured toadjust the frequency of the electromagnetic wave to be irradiated on thesubject microorganism 11 so as to follow a change of characteristicfrequency of the subject microorganism 11. In this case, a semiconductornon-linear optical device is used for the frequency adjustment device 4.The electromagnetic wave generation device 5 may use a terahertz bandelectromagnetic wave generation device configured to extract thedifference frequency of two pumping lights, as shown in FIG. 4, forexample. To be concrete, as shown in FIG. 4, an electromagnetic wavegeneration device 5 encompassing a pumping light control member 54configured to emit synthesizing beams 53 a and 53 b, after receiving afirst pumping light 51 and a second pumping light 52 incident on thepumping light control member 54; and an electromagnetic wave generationmember 55 configured to emit an electromagnetic wave 2 having afrequency equal to a difference between the frequency of the firstpumping light 51 and the frequency of the second pumping light 52, afterreceiving the synthesizing beams 53 a and 53 b, which strikeperpendicularly to an entrance end face 56, can be used. The firstpumping light 51 and the second pumping light 52 can be emitted fromlight sources such as a single mode laser diode, a distributed feedback(DFB) semiconductor laser and a wavelength tunable semiconductor laserencompassing a resonator and a diffraction grating. As the pumping lightcontrol member 54, a polarizing beam splitter can be used. Theelectromagnetic wave generation member 55 encompasses the entrance endface 56, an exit end face 57 opposite to the entrance end face 56, andan optical waveguide 58 located between the entrance end face 56 and theexit end face 57. A single crystal having a crystal orientationspecified by a specific Miller index may be elected so that the crystalorientation can define the propagation direction of the opticalwaveguide 58. SiO₂—TiO₂ multilayer evaporation films are coated on theentrance end face 56 and the exit end face 57. The optical waveguide 58is a ridge type optical waveguide encompassing a GaP core layer and cladlayers formed of Al_(x)Ga_(1-x)P layer, the clad layers are arranged incircumference of the GaP core layer. As an optical waveguide 58,materials such as zinc telluride (ZnTe) or lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) maybe used.

In the electromagnetic wave generation device 5 shown in FIG. 4, thefirst pumping light 51 and the second pumping light 52 are incident onthe pumping light control member 54 at first. Next, the first pumpinglight 51 and the second pumping light 52 incident on the pumping lightcontrol member 54 are synthesized by a polarizing beam splitter so as toform synthesizing beams 53 a and 53 b, which are incident on theentrance end face 56 of electromagnetic wave generation member 55. Whenthe synthesizing beams 53 a and 53 b are incident on the GaP core layerfrom the entrance end face 56, the difference-frequency light coupledwith TO phonon is excited, and an electromagnetic wave 2 having afrequency equal to the difference between the first frequency and thesecond frequency is emitted from the exit end face 57.

In addition, as another examples, other than the electromagnetic wavegeneration device 5 shown in FIG. 4, various electromagnetic wavegeneration devices generating electromagnetic waves between millimeterwave band and far infrared band such as electron tubes including amagnetron, a traveling-wave tube and a klystron, and gas lasersincluding an H₂O laser, an O₂O laser, a HCN laser, a DCN laser arepreferable. Furthermore, terahertz band solid-state oscillators superiorin features such as small size, lightweight, low operation voltage andlow power dissipation in comparison with the electron tubes or the gaslasers, can be employed, too. But, in a resonator using the solid-stateoscillators, the output deteriorates if frequency becomes high, thenoise characteristic becomes significant and frequency becomes unstable.Conditions of a resonator for solid oscillators for solving the problemsof increased noise characteristic and frequency instability are: (1) theresonator has a high Q value; (2) the resonator has a structureconfigured to facilitate a synchronized oscillation and power combiningschemes; and (3) the size of the resonator is larger than wavelength. Asa terahertz band electromagnetic wave generation device 5 satisfyingsuch conditions, an oscillator implemented by a quasi-optical resonatorcan be employed. For example, terahertz band oscillators such as a Gunndiode, a TUNNETT diode and an ideal SIT, using a quasi-opticalFabry-Perot resonator embracing a concave mirror and a diffractiongrating, may implement the synchronized oscillation and the powercombining schemes. If a wavelength tunable electromagnetic wavegeneration device 5 such as a spin-flip Raman laser is used for theelectromagnetic wave generation unit 3, the frequency adjustment device4.can be omitted. If a plurality of electromagnetic wave generationdevices 5 are prepared in correspondence with plural frequency ranges,the frequency band by which the electromagnetic wave generation unit 3covers may be magnified as a result. In addition, as already explained,because a plurality of characteristic frequencies of the subjectmicroorganism 11 may exist in each of a specified microorganism 11, aplurality of electromagnetic wave generation devices 5 may be preparedfor each of characteristic frequencies so that a plurality ofelectromagnetic waves having different frequency can be irradiatedsimultaneously on the subject microorganism 11. In correspondence withplural electromagnetic wave generation devices 5, a plurality offrequency adjustment devices 4 are provided respectively.

Next, a procedure of medical treatment using the electromagnetic waveirradiation tool according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

(a) At first, a site of the subject microorganism 11 in the body of apatient is specified. To be concrete, after puncturing the biologicalbody 1 via a trocar (not shown), the endoscope probe 7 is insertedpercutaneously in the biological body 1 as shown in FIG. 1. Theendoscope probe 7 may be inserted from mouth of the biological body 1.Next, the light emitted from the light source 82 is irradiated throughthe light guide 72 shown in FIG. 2 from the tip of the endoscope probe7, a picture image around the tip the endoscope probe 7 is acquired. Thepicture image is acquired by the CCD camera 71, and analyzed by thevideo signal processor 81 shown in FIG. 1, and displayed on the monitor86. In addition, the picture image displayed on the monitor 86 should beprocessed so that the identification of the subject microorganism 11becomes easy, by emphasizing only a specific color. For example, it ispreferable to execute IHb color enhancement process or mucous membranehomodynamics image process for representing a specific color moredistinctly. Or, like a laser microscope, the subject microorganism 11can be easily specified, by irradiating laser light of a specific colorfrom a semiconductor laser.

(b) Next, while observing a picture image on the monitor 86 so as toconfirm the existing site of the subject microorganism 11, as shown inFIG. 5, the tip of the endoscope probe 7 is brought close to the subjectmicroorganism 11. And the temperature-detecting terminal 73 and theelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74 are forced to approach thesubject microorganism 11. Temperature information of the subjectmicroorganism 11 is detected by the temperature-detecting terminal 73,after the temperature information is analyzed by the temperature signalprocessor 83 shown in FIG. 1, the temperature information is displayedon the monitor 86. Next, an electromagnetic wave 2 is generated by theelectromagnetic wave generation device 5, the frequency of theelectromagnetic wave 2 is adjusted so that the frequency of theelectromagnetic wave 2 is equal to the characteristic frequency of thesubject microorganism 11 by the frequency adjustment device 4. It ispreferable that the electromagnetic wave 2 having the frequency equal tothe characteristic frequency of the subject microorganism 11 isdetermined beforehand by Raman scattering spectrometry. It is preferablethat, before medically treat the subject microorganism 11, which isparasitic on a patient, the subject microorganism 11 is pickedbeforehand so as to measure the characteristic frequency. Thecharacteristic frequency may be determined by the measurement of thestanding wave ratio (VSWR) of the electromagnetic wave 2 irradiated onthe subject microorganism 11, which will be measured by areflection-factor measuring instrument. Or a pulse wave is irradiated tothe subject microorganism 11 so as to determine the characteristicfrequency by the frequency response measurement. Furthermore, by in-situmonitoring through a microscope, in which a picture image representingthe change of the subject microorganism 11 is transmitted through thelight guide 72, under the condition such that electromagnetic waves 2are irradiated on the subject microorganism 11, the characteristicfrequency can be specified.

(c) Next, for example, an electromagnetic wave 2 of 1.5 THz to 100 THzis irradiated to the subject microorganism 11 from the electromagneticwave irradiation terminal 74 provided at the tip of the endoscope probe7, as shown in FIG. 5, so as to drive the subject microorganism 11 intoresonant vibration state. At this time, the variable stub 87 is drivenby the micro actuator 88 so as to adjust the terminal impedance of thehigh frequency transmission line 70, and power of the electromagneticwave 2 is irradiated on the subject microorganism 11. Although FIG. 5shows a helicobacter pylori as an example of the subject microorganism11, the other microorganisms can be employed as the subjectmicroorganism 11, of course. Because the helicobacter pylori to which anelectromagnetic wave 2 is irradiated is excited by energy of theelectromagnetic wave 2 to become a resonant vibration state, a cellmembrane or a flagellum of the helicobacter pylori oscillates greatly.The helicobacter pylori being oscillated greatly by the resonantvibration is extirpated finally, because the cell is destroyed. Inaddition, because kinetic energy of the subject microorganism 11increases by the irradiation of the electromagnetic wave 2, temperatureof the subject microorganism 11, to which the electromagnetic wave 2irradiated, rises. Therefore, nature of the temperature dependence ofthe change of characteristic frequency of the subject microorganism 11is measured beforehand. And, based upon the temperature data detected bythe temperature-detecting terminal 73, it is preferable to determine thefrequency of the electromagnetic wave 2 to be irradiated, and to adjustthe frequency of the electromagnetic wave 2 by the frequency adjustmentdevice 4. In addition, it is desirable to adjust the impedance of thehigh frequency transmission line 70 by the variable stub 87, which isdriven by the micro actuator 88, because the terminal impedance of thehigh frequency transmission line 70 varies with the change of frequencyascribable to the temperature change. Because the behavior of thesubject microorganism 11 can be grasped directly through the in-situmonitoring on the monitor 86, by observing a change of movement of thesubject microorganism 11, the resonance state of the subjectmicroorganism 11 can be obtained so that the frequency of theelectromagnetic wave 2 to be irradiated can be changed appropriately bythe frequency adjustment device 4. In addition, because a plurality ofcharacteristic frequencies may be inherent in the subject microorganism11, from the electromagnetic wave generation unit 3, electromagneticwaves 2 having a plurality of frequencies different from each other maybe supplied through the electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74simultaneously so as to be irradiated on the subject microorganism 11,the different frequencies of the electromagnetic waves 2 correspondingto the different characteristic frequencies of the subject microorganism11, respectively.

According to the electromagnetic wave irradiation tool related to thefirst embodiment of the present invention, by establishing the resonantvibration in the subject microorganism 11, because only the subjectmicroorganism 11 in the body of a patient is destroyed selectively, theprogress of a certain infectious disease associated with microorganism11 can be blocked effectively.

Modification of the First Embodiment

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an electromagnetic wave irradiation toolaccording to a modification of the first embodiment of the presentinvention is different from the electromagnetic wave irradiation toolshown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in a feature that the electromagnetic waveirradiation tool encompasses a drug injection tube 75 disposed in theinside of the endoscope probe 7, which is aligned in parallel with theCCD camera 71, the light guide 72, the temperature-detecting terminal 73and the electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74, and a monolithicintegrated circuit 78 provided at the internal tip side of the endoscopeprobe 7 so as to connect with the electromagnetic wave irradiationterminal 74. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the electromagnetic waveirradiation tool according to the modification of the first embodimentis different from the electromagnetic wave irradiation tool shown inFIGS. 1 to 3 in that a drug feeder 85 is connected to the drug injectiontube 75.

The monolithic integrated circuit 78 shown in FIG. 7 operates as theterahertz band electromagnetic wave generation unit 3. Direct currentbias and necessary signals are supplied the monolithic integratedcircuit 78 through a power supply wiring 79. It is preferable that themonolithic integrated circuit 78 encompasses a relatively widebandamplification circuit and a frequency tuner, adapted for generatingelectromagnetic waves 2 having frequencies equal to the characteristicfrequencies of the subject microorganism (causative agent) 11. Terahertzband amplifier, oscillator (active semiconductor elements) such as idealSIT can be used for the monolithic integrated circuit 78. The druginjection tube 75 injects the drug supplied by the drug feeder 85 intothe tissue where the subject microorganism 11 is parasitic on. As thedrug to be injected, drugs or medicines for promoting nutrition,depending on kinds of the subject cells, can be employed. For example, aphotosensitive material such as porfimer sodium, which is employed inphoto dynamic diagnosis (PDD) or photo dynamic therapy (PDT), ispreferred so that the subject microorganism 11 such as bacteria can emitfluorescence light so as to facilitate specifying the location of thesubject microorganism 11.

In FIG. 8, although the CCD camera 71, the light guide 72, thetemperature-detecting terminal 73 and the electromagnetic waveirradiation terminal 74, the drug injection tube 75 are aligned on aline, it is not necessary to be aligned on a line, and other topologiescan be adopted, of course.

According to the modification of the first embodiment of the presentinvention, the subject microorganism 11 is easily specified, as the drugsuch as photosensitive materials is injected into the biological body 1.If a drug having a sterilization effect against the subjectmicroorganism 11 is injected, the destruction effect to the subjectmicroorganism 11 by the irradiation of the electromagnetic wave 2 can beincreased more.

Second Embodiment

As shown in FIG. 9, an electromagnetic wave irradiation tool accordingto a second embodiment of the present invention is medical equipmentencompassing an antenna-supporting member 60, a plurality of antennas(the patch antennas) 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . . . provided on a wall surfaceof the antenna-supporting member 60, and an electromagnetic wavegeneration unit 3 configured to supply an electromagnetic wave 2, whichhas a frequency equal to the characteristic frequency of the subjectmicroorganism (causative agent) 11, to the antennas 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, .. . . The antenna-supporting member 60 and the plural the patch antennas61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . . . , implement an antenna array 6. Theantenna-supporting member 60 has a cylinder-shaped geometry so that anda biological body 1 can lie in the inside of the cylinder. As shown inFIG. 10, a plurality of the patch antennas 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . . . , 61t are arranged in the inner wall of the antenna-supporting member 60 ina matrix-shape. The plural the patch antennas 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . . . ,61 t are respectively connected to a high frequency transmission line 62as shown in FIG. 11, and are connected to a frequency adjustment device4 and an electromagnetic wave generation device 5 shown in FIG. 9. Theelectromagnetic waves generated in the electromagnetic wave generationdevice 5 are emitted as the electromagnetic wave 2 as shown in FIG. 10toward the center of antenna array 6 from the patch antennas 61 a, 61 b,61 c, . . . , 61 t. As the high frequency transmission line 62, acoaxial cable, a strip line, a coplanar waveguide can be used. Otherstructure and materials are similar to the configuration already shownin FIG. 1, and overlapping or redundant description may be omitted inthe second embodiment. In addition, in FIG. 9, although theantenna-supporting member 60 is represented as a large-scaleantenna-supporting member 60 accommodating the whole of a human body,but even smaller cylinder, which accommodates only arm or leg portion,is preferable. Furthermore, the antenna-supporting member 60 may have asize, which accommodates only one finger.

A procedure of medical treatment using the electromagnetic waveirradiation tool according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention will be described.

(a) At first, in FIG. 9, the medical-care site such as necrosis or boil(swelling) that occurred on skin of the biological body 1 is specifiedso as to measure the characteristic frequency of the subjectmicroorganism (causative agent) 11 existing in the medical-care site.Similar to the measurement method explained in the first embodiment, thecharacteristic frequency may be determined beforehand, by Ramanspectroscopy, or by measuring VSWR of the subject microorganism 11through a reflection-ratio measuring instrument.

(b) Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the biological body 1 is lied on a bed 63,and the biological body 1 is inserted in the inside of theantenna-supporting member 60.

(c) Next, the electromagnetic wave generation device 5 generates anelectromagnetic wave having a frequency near to the characteristicfrequency of the subject microorganism 11 in the biological body. Forexample, the electromagnetic wave generation device 5 generates theelectromagnetic wave 2 of one THz to 100 THz, and the frequencyadjustment device 4 adjusts the frequency to become equal to thecharacteristic frequency of the subject microorganism 11. Next, thepatch antennas 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . . . , 61 t, which are provided on theinner wall of antenna array 6, irradiate electromagnetic waves 2 a, 2 b,2 c, . . . , 2 t to the biological body 1. The subject microorganism 11living in the biological body 1 are excited by the energy ofelectromagnetic waves 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, . . . , 2 t, which have a resonancefrequency of the subject microorganism 11 so as to cause a resonance,and the cell membrane is destroyed, or alternatively, the cell divisionstops. On the other hand, normal cell of the biological body 1 is notexcited to the resonance state, because the normal cell has a differentcharacteristic frequency from the subject microorganism 11, and thedestruction or the stop of cell division of the normal cell is notcaused.

According to the electromagnetic wave irradiation tool related to thesecond embodiment of the present invention, electromagnetic waves 2 a, 2b, 2 c, . . . , 2 t having a frequency different from the characteristicfrequency of the normal cell, but equal to the characteristic frequencyof the microorganism are irradiated on the biological body 1 from thepatch antennas 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . . . , 61 t disposed in the inner wallof the antenna supporting member 60 in a matrix-shape. Then, only themicroorganism is oscillated to bring into the resonant state, withoutdamaging the normal cell, so that a specified microorganism isselectively oscillated until the specified microorganism is destroyed.

In the electromagnetic wave irradiation tool shown in FIG. 9, beforeinterposing the biological body 1, for example, in the inside of theantenna-supporting member 60, it is preferable to provide a shield onpart which is not an object of the medical treatment. In addition, it ispreferable to control a power level of the electromagnetic wavedepending on the depth from the surface of the biological body 1 at themedical treatment site. Or a switch may be established in each of thepatch antennas 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . . . , 61 t so that theelectromagnetic waves 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, . . . , 2 t can be emittedselectively from specific the patch antennas 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . . . ,61 t.

Generally, when an electromagnetic wave is irradiated on a tissue of thebiological body 1, because the energy of the electromagnetic wave isabsorbed by the tissue, as the electromagnetic wave propagates in thetissue, a phenomenon of gradual attenuation of the electromagnetic wavemust be considered. When the tissue of the biological body 1 isconsidered as a dielectric, attenuation constant γ for theelectromagnetic wave propagating in the tissue is expressed in the nextequation:γ=jω(εμ)^(1/2){1−j(σ/ωε)}^(1/2)   (2)In Eq. (2), a is conductivity of the tissue, ε is dielectric constant ofthe tissue, μ is permeability of the tissue, ω is angular frequency ofthe electromagnetic wave. Because a value of p=σ/ωε is known to beapproximately 0.1<p<10 in a biological tissue, when the real part of theEq. (2) is defined as α, the next equation is provided:α=ω[(με/2){(1+p ²)^(1/2)−1}]^(1/2])  (3)When, in the Eq. (3), if we consider the case in which the frequency fis high:α=ω{(με/2)p} ^(1/2)   (4)The level of penetration of the electromagnetic wave in the tissue isexpressed by the depth δ at which the power density of theelectromagnetic wave is reduced by e⁻². And δ is given by a reciprocaloF α, and referred as “skin depth” or “penetration depth” of theelectromagnetic wave. Because, in Eq. (4), δ=1/α:δ(1/πfμσ)^(1/2)   (5)is obtained as an approximate expression. It can supposed thatε_(r)≈1[F/m], μ_(r)≈80[H/m], because the biological body has adielectric constant approximately equal to the dielectric constant ofwater, and most of the molecules composing the biological body 1 can beregarded as non-magnetic materials. The dielectric constant andpermeability in vacuum are ε₀≈8.8542×10⁻¹² [F/m], μ₀≈4π×10⁻⁷ [H/m],respectively. In the electromagnetic wave irradiation tool shown in FIG.9, employing Eq. (5), the penetration depth δ is given approximately asδ=70 micrometers when the electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 3THz is irradiated on the tissue, and the penetration depth δ is givenapproximately as δ=115 micrometers when the electromagnetic wave havinga frequency of 1.2 THz. In addition, the penetration depth δ is givenapproximately as δ=231 micrometers when the electromagnetic wave havinga frequency of 300 GHz is irradiated, according to the data of skin of arabbit at 23 GHz measured by Gandhi et. al and the data calculated byequations of complex dielectric constant based on Debye relaxation.

As explained above, when a high frequency electromagnetic wave having afrequency higher than microwave band is irradiated, it is found that thepenetration depth of the electromagnetic wave arrives at a neighborhoodregion of the body surface. In the electromagnetic wave irradiation toolshown in FIG. 9, it is preferable to medical treat the biological body 1in which the microorganism is parasitic in a neighborhood of epidermis.In the electromagnetic wave irradiation tool related to the secondembodiment of the present invention, an electromagnetic wave having afrequency less than or equal to one THz can be employed. Namely, byirradiating an electromagnetic wave having a low frequency of arounddozens of kHz against chromosomes in a cell, for example, so as tooscillate the chromosome, it is possible to suppress the cell division.

In addition, in view of the situation that there are a plurality ofcharacteristic frequencies in a specified microorganism, theelectromagnetic wave generation unit 3 may encompass a plurality ofelectromagnetic wave generation devices 5, similar to the firstembodiment, so that electromagnetic waves having different frequenciescan be simultaneously emitted.

Third Embodiment

An electromagnetic wave irradiation tool according to a third embodimentof the present invention is medical equipment encompassing a bloodirrigation system 9 having a blood-draw line 93 configured to draw bloodfrom the biological body 1 and a blood-return line 94 configured toreturn the blood to the biological body 1, an electromagnetic waveirradiation unit (antenna array) 6 configured to irradiate anelectromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to the characteristicfrequency of a microorganism (causative agent) existing in the blood inthe blood-draw line 93, and an electromagnetic wave generation unit 3configured to supply the electromagnetic wave to the electromagneticwave irradiation unit (antenna array) 6. The configuration of theelectromagnetic wave generation unit 3 is similar to the configurationalready explained in FIG. 1, and overlapping or redundant descriptionmay be omitted in the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, the blood irrigation system 9 has the blood-drawline 93, the antenna array 6 provided on the down stream side of theblood-draw line 93, and the blood-return line 94 provided on the downstream side of antenna array 6. The blood-draw line 93 has a blooddrawing terminal 91, a blood pump 95 provided on the down stream sidethe blood drawing terminal 91, a chamber 96 provided on the down streamside the blood pump 95. The blood-return line 94 has a chamber 97provided on the down stream side of the antenna array 6 and a bloodreturning terminal 92 provided on the down stream side of the chamber97. The blood-draw line 93 and the blood-return line 94 are formed ofsilicon tube. As shown in FIG. 13, the electromagnetic wave irradiationunit (antenna array) 6 surrounds the circumference of the tubes of theblood-draw line 93 and the blood-return line 94. The configuration ofthe antenna array 6 is equivalent to a configuration explained in FIGS.10 and 11, in which the inside diameter and the length are miniaturized,while keeping the same structure, such that a plurality of patchantennas (not shown) are arranged in the inner wall in a matrix-shape,and the patch antennas surrounds the entire outer circumference of thetube of the blood-draw line 93 and the blood-return line 94. As shown inFIG. 12, the antenna array 6 is connected to the frequency adjustmentdevice 4 and the electromagnetic wave generation device 5 through thehigh frequency transmission line 62. The outer diameter of the tubeequal to or smaller than 140 micrometers is preferred, because thepenetration depth δ of the electromagnetic wave of three THz in blood isgiven approximately as δ=70 micrometers, as already explained. By abundled up structure implemented a plurality of tubes, each having anoutside diameter equal to or smaller than 140 micrometers,electromagnetic waves can be irradiated to each tube by theelectromagnetic wave irradiation units 6 attached to each tubes, whileassuring blood flow of a large quantity. Or, alternatively with a tubeof honeycomb structure implemented by a plurality of bores, each havingan inside diameter of approximately 2δ, the patch antennas may beestablished in the inner wall of each of the bores. Because it is notrealistic, if the inside diameter of the tubes becomes too narrow, it ispreferable to meander the tube having an inside diameter larger than 2δso that blood passing in the center of the tube may collide to the innerwall of the tube at plural times.

Next, a procedure of medical treatment using the electromagnetic waveirradiation tool according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

(a) At first, the blood drawing terminal 91 punctures an artery of thebiological body 1, and a vein of the biological body 1 is punctured bythe blood returning terminal 92. From the blood drawing terminal 91blood of the biological body 1 is collected, and transported to thechamber 96 through the blood pump 95. The blood that air and foreignsubstances are removed by the chamber 96 flows into the side to whichthe antenna array 6 is arranged.

(b) Next, an electromagnetic wave generation device 5 generates anelectromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to the characteristicfrequency of the microorganism living in blood, and through thefrequency adjustment device 4 and the high frequency transmission line62, the electromagnetic wave is supplied to the antenna array 6. Theantenna array 6 to which the electromagnetic wave is supplied irradiatesthe electromagnetic wave to the blood from the circumferences of thetubes of the blood-draw line 93 and the blood-return line 94. Becausekinetic energy is given, the microorganism in the blood, to which theelectromagnetic wave is irradiated, is driven to a state of resonantvibration, and the destruction of a cell membrane, or the stop of celldivision occurs. On the other hand, a normal cell in blood is notexcited, because the normal cell has a different characteristicfrequency from the microorganism cell, and the destruction of the normalcell is not produced.

In addition, by collecting blood of the biological body 1 beforehand soas to measure the characteristic frequency of the subject microorganismor the subject abnormal cell with Raman scattering spectrometry, thefrequency of the electromagnetic wave to be irradiated from the antennaarray 6 can be determined by.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, themicroorganism existing in blood is excited selectively so as to destroythe microorganism, without damaging a normal cell in blood.

In addition, similar to the first and second embodiments, theelectromagnetic wave generation unit 3 may encompass a plurality ofelectromagnetic wave generation devices 5, so that electromagnetic waveshaving different frequencies can be simultaneously emitted.

Other Embodiments

As explained above, the present invention is described by means of thefirst to third embodiments, the statement of disclosure or the drawingsshould not be understood as limiting the invention. Variousmodifications or alternate embodiments will become possible for thoseskilled in the art after receiving the teaching of the presentdisclosure.

In the first embodiment already explained, a laparoscope can be employedinstead of the endoscope probe 7. In this case, at three or four sites,small incisions of 5-20 mm are made in the skin of the biological body1, and surgical instrument such as a long exclusive forceps or scissorsand the narrow tube (laparoscope) 7 are inserted percutaneously in thebiological body 1, while projecting on a viewing screen of the monitor86 the transmitted images of the internal structure of the biologicalbody 1, and the electromagnetic wave can be irradiated in the biologicalbody 1. The electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74 is not requiredto be provided at the tip of the endoscope probe 7, and theelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74 may be provided at the tipof another narrow tube, resembling the shape of the endoscope probe 7.Furthermore, the electromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74 may beprovided at the tip of surgical instrument such as forceps. Thefrequency of the electromagnetic wave 2 being irradiated from theelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal 74 can be measured, byproviding a frequency-detecting terminal at the tip of the endoscopeprobe 7.

In the third embodiment, it may be configured such that blood cells inblood contain drug, while irradiating the electromagnetic wave to bloodfrom the antenna array 6.

The electromagnetic wave irradiation tool according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention can be implement by miniaturizedtotal chemical analysis systems (μ-TAS), which merges a plurality ofmicro-apparatuses in a single chip. That is to say, using a structure ofμ-TAS, bloods are led precisely to various narrow tubes by means ofpressure from a syringe pump so that healthy blood is carried away froma fluid circuit, while blood affected by microorganism is collected to amicro-reactor, and the electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal tothe characteristic frequency of the microorganism is irradiated to theblood affected by the microorganism. Furthermore, in addition to blood,a group of cells may be transported along with a Ringer's solution sothat a healthy cell is drained from a fluid circuit, while a cellaffected by microorganism is collected to a micro-reactor, and theelectromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to the characteristicfrequency of the microorganism is irradiated to the cell affected by themicroorganism. “A Ringer's solution” is a liquid including ions ofsodium, potassium, calcium and chlorine, which is used for keeping acell in living state outside the biological body 1, the cell isextracted from the biological body 1 in order to hold. In this case, anactuator substrate of the μ-TAS is implemented by a silicon substrate, aglass substrate, a ceramic substrate such as an alumina (Al₂O₃)substrate, or a polymer substrate. On the top surface of the actuatorsubstrate, a cell-injecting reservoir configure to store temporary agroup of cells with the Ringer's solution, and a drain reservoirconfigure to store temporary the group of cells, to which a scheduledprocessing has been over, before the group of cells are exhausted, areprovided. Between the cell-injecting reservoir and the drain reservoirs,a plurality of fluid paths (micro-fluid paths) are provided, each of thefluid paths has a width of one micrometer to several hundredmicrometers, preferably several micrometers to several ten micrometers,and a depth of one micrometer to several hundred micrometers, preferablyseveral micrometers to several ten micrometers, so that the group ofcells separated and collected from the biological body 1 can betransported through the fluid paths (micro-fluid paths) with theRinger's solution. The μ-TAS is further implemented by an entrance sidemicro-valve, an entrance side micro-pump, which are arranged in thefluid path, in a neighborhood of the cell-injection reservoir, and anexit side micro-valve disposed in the fluid path in front of the drainreservoir. As the entrance side micro-valve and the exit sidemicro-valve, various kinds of micro-valves such as diaphragm type(membrane type), piezoelectric device type, electrostatic type, anelectromagnetic valve type or bimetal/shape-memory alloy type can beemployed. As the entrance side micro-pump, various kinds of micro-pumpssuch as piezoelectric device type, electrostatic type, anelectromagnetic valve type or bimetal/shape-memory alloy type can beemployed. Furthermore, a micro-pump using a change of specific volume bythermal expansion, or alternatively using a change of specific volume bytemperature dependence of the saturated vapor pressure in fluid and by aphase change ascribable to the application of heat, a micro-pump whichapply a magnetic field to magnetic fluid, or an electro-hydro-dynamical(EHD) pump using a specific interaction between fluid and electric fieldgenerated in the fluid by application of high electric field can beemployed.

In the first to third embodiments, zinc telluride (ZnTe) or lithiumniobate (LiNbO₃) may be used instead of GaP for the core layer of theelectromagnetic wave generation device 5. The electromagnetic wave 2emitted from the electromagnetic wave generation device 5 may begenerated by parametric oscillation. In addition, in the first to thirdembodiments, before medically treating the biological body 1 by theelectromagnetic wave, drug such as photosensitive materials may beadministered to the biological body 1 so as to facilitate specifying theexisting position of the subject microorganism (causative agent). Asmeans for specifying the existing site of the microorganism, a magneticresonance imaging (MRI) equipment, a photo-topography equipment, afunctional MRI (FMRI) equipment, and an infrared computer tomographic(CT) imaging equipment may be used together. An abnormal cell, caused byparasitism of the microorganism, or by mutation of a cell, can bemedically treated by irradiating electromagnetic wave having a frequencyequal to the characteristic frequency of the abnormal cell.

In addition, in the first to third embodiments, although a case that asingle electromagnetic wave generation unit 3 has a plurality ofelectromagnetic wave generation devices 5 in the inside theelectromagnetic wave generation unit 3 was described, theelectromagnetic wave irradiation tool of the present invention can beimplemented by a plurality of electromagnetic wave generation units 3.In this case, the plural electromagnetic wave generation units 3 provideoscillations of plural frequencies, simultaneously.

Furthermore, the electromagnetic wave generation devices 5 explained inthe first to third embodiments may be connected to or installed in anair cleaner of air-conditioner so as to irradiate the electromagneticwave having a frequency equal to the characteristic frequency of virussuch as influenza virus floating in the air, or the electromagnetic wavehaving a frequency equal to the characteristic frequency ofmethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), so that the virus orthe pathogenic bacteria lose their multiplication/infection capability.To be concrete, patch antennas 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . . . 61 t, similar tothe configuration shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, may be installed in an aircleaner of air-conditioner. In addition, because protein is destroyed ina molecule level at the surface of these microorganisms by irradiatingthe electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to the characteristicfrequency of coxsackie virus, which is one of a cause of “summer cold”,MRSA, which is said to be a representative cause of nosocomial infection(hospital infection), Escherichia coli and black mold (Aspergillus), theelectromagnetic wave irradiation tool of the present inventionfacilitates a microorganism extermination technology in the atmosphere.

As pathogenic substances of food poisoning, bacteria, virus, chemicalcompound, and natural poison, etc. are known, but more than 80% of causeof food poisoning is ascribable to bacteria. For example, in Japan,enteritis vibrio is a representative food poisoning-causing bacteriaranking with Salmonella and the occurrence frequency of the foodpoisoning due to enteritis vibrio is the highest in foodpoisoning-causing bacteria of intra toxin (toxin produced in biologicalbody by multiplication of bacteria) type. Because enteritis vibrioprefers seawater with the most preferred habitation place, in the summerwhen temperature of seawater rises, enteritis vibrios are multipliedflourishingly so as to pollute marine and fishery products with highfrequency. The human being who has eaten the polluted seafood developssymptoms of diarrhea, stomachache, pyrexia or vomiting, or alternativelydies in a case. For example, if the patch antennas 61 a, 61 b, 61 c, . .. , 61 t, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are provided in the inside of arefrigerator, in the inside of a food-preserving box or above a kitchentable, with a electromagnetic wave irradiation unit configured toirradiate an electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to thecharacteristic frequency of the food poisoning-causing bacteria, thefood poisoning-causing bacteria can be killed selectively.

In this way the present invention includes inherently the variousembodiments, which are not described here. Therefore, technical scopesof the present invention are prescribed only by the description ofclaims, being proper from the above explanation.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Because the term “biological body” means a living body of a creature,every animals and plants conducting vital phenomena are included in theterm “biological body”. In particular, in a biological body of animalclassified into any of chondrichthyes, osteichthyes, amphibia, reptilia,aves and mammalia in vertebrate, the present invention can be applied toa medical treatment of a cell to which microorganism is parasite, oralternatively to a medical treatment of an abnormal cell, which isaffected by mutation of a cell. For example, if the characteristicfrequency of the avian corona-virus (infectious bronchitis virus), thesurface structure of which agrees with severe-acute-respiratory syndrome(SARS) virus, avian corona-virus is classified into the same family andthe same genus as SARS virus, is measured beforehand, SARS virus can beextirpated selectively. Furthermore, the electromagnetic waveirradiation tool of the present invention can be can be employed asmedical equipment in the field of these medical care. Because themicroorganism parasitic on a plant can be exterminated selectively, theelectromagnetic wave irradiation tool of the present invention can becan be applied to industrial fields of agriculture and food processing.Furthermore, the electromagnetic wave irradiation tool of the presentinvention can be can be applied to an industrial field of air cleanerssuch as air-conditioners.

1. An electromagnetic wave irradiation tool comprising: a narrow tubedefined by an outside diameter of 0.1 mm-20 mm, having anelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal configured to irradiate anelectromagnetic wave having a frequency equal to a characteristicfrequency of a microorganism at the top of the narrow tube; and anelectromagnetic wave generation unit configured to generate theelectromagnetic wave and to supply the electromagnetic wave to theelectromagnetic wave irradiation terminal.
 2. The electromagnetic waveirradiation tool of claim 1, wherein the narrow tube further comprises atemperature detecting unit configured to detect temperature of themicroorganism.
 3. The electromagnetic wave irradiation tool of claim 1,wherein the electromagnetic wave generation unit further comprises afrequency adjustment device configured to adjust the frequency of theelectromagnetic wave being irradiated to the microorganism so as tofollow a change of the characteristic frequency.
 4. The electromagneticwave irradiation tool of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic wavegeneration unit irradiates simultaneously electromagnetic waves havingdifferent frequencies.
 5. An electromagnetic wave irradiation toolcomprising: an antenna-supporting member; an antenna provided on theantenna-supporting member; and an electromagnetic wave generation unitconfigured to supply an electromagnetic wave having a frequency equal toa characteristic frequency of a microorganism.
 6. The electromagneticwave irradiation tool of claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic wavegeneration unit further comprises a frequency adjustment deviceconfigured to adjust the frequency of the electromagnetic wave beingirradiated to the microorganism so as to follow a change of thecharacteristic frequency.
 7. The electromagnetic wave irradiation toolof claim 5, wherein the electromagnetic wave generation unit irradiatessimultaneously electromagnetic waves having different frequencies.
 8. Anelectromagnetic wave irradiation tool comprising: a blood irrigationsystem having: a blood-draw line configured to draw blood from abiological body, and a blood-return line configured to return the bloodto the biological body; an electromagnetic wave irradiation unitconfigured to irradiate an electromagnetic wave having a frequency equalto a characteristic frequency of a microorganism existing in the bloodin the blood-draw line; and an electromagnetic wave generation unitconfigured to supply the electromagnetic wave to the electromagneticwave irradiation unit.
 9. The electromagnetic wave irradiation tool ofclaim 8, wherein the electromagnetic wave generation unit furthercomprises a frequency adjustment device configured to adjust thefrequency of the electromagnetic wave being irradiated to themicroorganism so as to follow a change of the characteristic frequency.10. The electromagnetic wave irradiation tool of claim 8, wherein theelectromagnetic wave generation unit irradiates simultaneouslyelectromagnetic waves having different frequencies.